Words & Photos: Joe Lee
The unmistakably green and white building emerged from the grain field as we approached it in the van. The 30+ children had just moved into this new home on the week before our arrival. My heart raced a little as we drew near. I had been waiting to see this home and the children ever since I came last time in 2011 when the land was still vacant. Finally, the wait was over and I could see the product of those long hours drawing it in front of my computer screen.
The green was as bright as I anticipated, which matched the brightness of the smiles upon the children’s faces. The cheerful colour palette continued inside. Lavender purple for the main dining hall space. A lighter soothing green for the kitchen and office. Then, two sets of stairs on opposite ends of the hallway led up to the girl’s and boy’s dormitories.
We were accompanied by three girls to their pink dormitory, and afterwards, three boys to their blue dormitory. The boys would definitely hold my hands too if only I wasn’t busy taking pictures. They had sparkles in their eyes as they led us from room to room to show us where they sleep, where they store their clothes and change, where they study, and where they shower. They loved their new home a lot!
Yet most importantly, it was the essence of the home that really mattered. I was excited to see Shanta and Hannah again, the home parents of this great number of children. They worked hard all these years, not simply as workers but with a love so great that matched or even exceeded many fathers and mothers towards to their own children. Because the love of God, the Father of the fatherless, was in their hearts. Thus, the children who once lost one or both parents would not lack love and care again.
Shanta stressed during the inauguration that this was not the end of a project but just the beginning. I look forward to see the children continue to grow stronger in body and spirit, and also many more orphans to find rest in this home. Let us continue to change the lives of the children in Nepal together. All our efforts and donations are well worth the cause.
The new home with the unmistakably green colour brightens the whole rural neighbourhood.
All the children enjoy having their group photo taken as they hold up the gifts that they just received.
The surroundings provide a lot of open space for the children. The boys especially like playing soccer just across the road.
Aprana and the children at the back are cleaning their bowls and utensils after their afternoon snack time. In the past, she worked in the brick factory and was abused by her stepmother. Now, she can smile brightly and never lacks love and care again.
Dhana (the girl in the foreground) is holding the flag of Nepal and dressed in traditional Nepalese clothing to rehearse for the inauguration ceremony.
The stair leading up to their boy's dormitory.
The studying room flooding with sunshine yellow.
The boy's bathroom. Very clean!
The boys are getting ready for their dance for the inauguration in front of over a hundred people.
One of the bedrooms for the girls. Every bed has different dolls that belong to the girls.
